Page 104 of Valor

She sees me watching and offers me a wave as she smiles. I return it, then head back down toward my office.

These days, it’s me, Deputy Lenson, and Deputy Brown, plus another new hire—Deputy Brad Poland—and we have two more going through the onboarding process. I take a deep breath. Like the small hospital in our town, the sheriff’s station is also understaffed. Not a terrible thing when we have a relatively peaceful town, but it would be nice to have a few more boots on the ground for the days when things get especially crazy.

Not that we don’t have backup when we need it. Lani’s brothers are all former Special Forces and run a search and rescue team off their ranch. They’re always more than willing to step up and lend a hand if needed.

My phone buzzes, so I pull it out and grin like an idiot when I see Lani’s name pop up on the screen.

Lani: I hope your morning has been better than mine. There’s a stomach bug going around and it seems like all of Pine Creek Elementary is patient zero.

She followed it up with a green nauseous emoji.

Me: I can safely say I’m not dealing with any projectile stomach issues. However, I did go see my mom this morning.

Lani: Your mom is amazing. There is no comparing our mornings. You lose, Sheriff.

I laugh.

Me: Fair enough. Want me to bring you some lunch later? Looks like it’ll be a slow day. I can pick up a couple burgers and head that way about 11:00.

It’s silly given that it’s such a simple offer, and one I’ve made many times before, but I practically hold my breath as I wait for her to respond.

Lani: Don’t tease me, Sheriff.

Me: No teasing involved. I’ll see you at 11:00.

Lani: Have I told you that you’re amazing? Because if I haven’t, then consider me saying it now. You, Sheriff Gibson Lawson, are one of my favorite people. See you then. Another patient just came into the ER. Have to run.

Me: See you then. Be safe, soldier. Try to avoid being puked on.

She responds with some laughing emojis that pretty much send my mood soaring. I sit here, grinning like an idiot, as I stare at her message.You, Sheriff Gibson Lawson, are one of my favorite people.Favorite as in friend zone for life? Or favorite as in she could see something else between us?

My mom’s words come back to haunt me.What chance do you have if you don’t take it?She’s not wrong. And maybe it’s time. Maybe I should finally take that leap and see where it leads me.

After all, what could it hurt?

LANI

On my fourthcup of coffee for the day, I head over toward the nurses’ station to do a final check-in before I take a break for lunch. I’d spent two hours at my clinic this morning, and both appointments went beautifully.

But that’s where the glorious morning ended.

Ever since, it’s been puke, tears, more puke, and plenty of exhaustion. “Hey, Carla, how are things?”

“Looking good, Doc,” she says. “Patient in bed nine finally stopped trying to pull her IV out, so I’m calling it a win.”

I laugh. The woman in bed nine has been trying to get out of here since she was admitted with appendicitis yesterday. Despite having emergency surgery in the middle of the night, she believes she needs to get home so her neighbor doesn’t try and steal an—and I still can’t believe this—award-winning pothos plant.

Apparently, her neighbor offered to check on her plants and wouldn’t take no for an answer. She even sent our patient a selfie of her in the woman’s house this morning, standing in front of said plant.

“That’s a good thing. She should be out of here tomorrow,” I tell her after a quick peek at the chart.

“Good. I’ll let her know that.”

“Have any of the interviewees shown up yet?” We were supposed to have two scheduled for this afternoon, but I checked the breakroom on my way over here and there was no one inside.

Her expression says it all.

“They canceled again?”

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